Former NBA guard Ty Lawson was arrested in Colorado last week on a shoplifting charge, and his booking photo shows him staring expressionlessly into the camera while wearing what appeared to be jail clothing.
According to The California Post, Lawson, 38, was taken into custody on July 16 after police accused him of stealing a $34 bottle of vodka from a liquor store before bringing it to a nearby restaurant.
The arrest affidavit states officers believed Lawson had been drinking because he smelled “of an unknown alcoholic substance.”
Police also allege Lawson became combative during booking, repeatedly calling an officer “‘bitch’ repeatedly and a ‘white bitch’ during the pre-booking process,” while kicking the glass wall of his holding cell and shouting “stop.”
Authorities said Lawson later apologized for his behavior.
After the arrest became public, Lawson posted on X, writing, “Being black in America is tough…. Being lied by a pasty face white woman wild… stay outta castle rock Colorado!!!!”
He later added, “This the wildest and more racist shit I been thru.”
Lawson is charged with misdemeanor shoplifting involving property valued at less than $300 and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 13.
Ex-NBA star Ty Lawson’s sad vodka shoplifting arrest mugshot released https://t.co/hG5AKmzv7q pic.twitter.com/J90uKJCvtw
— New York Post (@nypost) July 23, 2026
